Vehicle-top.



A. FE'INSTEIN. av bio-R5: or count NOW A. NADELL.

VEHICLE TOP. APPLICATION 'ml zn'wwn. ms; Patented Mal, 5,1918i s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ABRAHAM F'E/NSTE'IN A. FEINS TEIN. BY DECREE 0F COURT NOW A. NADELL.

VEHICLE TOP. APPLICATION .FI'LED JULY 17. 19x6.

Patented Mar.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ammvbw ABRAHAM FE/N sTE/N A. FEINSTEIN.

BY DECR'EE 0F COURT NOW A. NADELL.

VEHICLE TOP.

APPLICATION min JULY 11. 1916.

Patented Mar. 5,1918. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 JvweA woz ABRAHAM Ff/NSTEIN A, FEI'NSTEIN.

BY DE CREE 0F COURT NOW A. NADELL V VEHICLE TOP. v I APPLICATION FILED JULY n. 1916; P t d M 5 1918 I 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

l x. I {I I unnunnnuuuna.

Z3 viugmdoz ABRAHAM FE/NSTE/N ABBAHAM mmsrnm, (BY nnonnn or coun'rnow ABRAH M' ADELL'J or ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN.

VEHICLE-TOP. I

- Specification of LettersPatent.

Application and July 17, 1916. serial no. 109,616.

struction and use relate to make and use the same.

T be primary objectof the invention is to provide an adjustable top for vehicles of various lengths which may be extended and shortened as desired to cause the same to conform to the length of the vehicle to which it is applied.

A further object is to provide a top which may be shortened or adjusted so that it will form a top for the rear seat only of the ve hicle to which it is applied, if so desired, or a top of any other intermediate length.

An additional object is to provide a top of such construction, that when the same is collapsed a portion of the fabric covering for the top may be arranged into a hood to cover the folded top, to exclude the dust therefrom and to otherwise protect the same, as well as to impart to said collapsed top a more pleasing and ornate appearance.

With said objects in view I have devised -the construction shown in the drawings whichform a part hereof, the respective figures of which are as follows:-

Figure 1 is aside elevation of the metallic frame-work of my improved top in its fully extended position; all of the fabric covering for the top is omitted, in order to more clearly illustrate the construction of the frame;

Fig. 2 is a, side elevation of said frame-' covering 1n place, and shows how the slack.

frame'is shortened;

fabric is disposed of or Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

folded when the Fi j 6 is also a side elevation of the top showiiig the slack fabric pletelfi' folded;

F ig 7 is a side elevation of the top in the collapsed condition showing the fabric in sectioz' and that it is attached to the framework :t its ends only so that it may be utilized as a dust hood;

Fig. 8 is a side elewation of the collapsed properly and com-,

top showing the fabric utilized as a dusthood, and

Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are details.

The construction here shown is substantially as follows:

For *the side bars of the frame I utilize several telescoping sections of square tubing, 1,2, 3 and at which are arranged in pairs,

the larger primary sections 1 being at the rear of the frame. In proximity to the outer end of each of the sections 1,2 and 3 and extending; transversely across said frame, I ate tach the respective ends of the verticallyextending bows 5, (3 and 7, and to the forward end ,I attach a horizontally extending bow 8 to form the front edge of the top;

The rear end of said top is composed of a combination bow and supporting arm 9 which not only forms the rear portion of the frame ffor the top but also extends diagonally downwardly and forwardly and constitutes; the member by means of which the top 18 secured to a vehicle.

Attached at its lowcfr end to the lower terminal 10 of said arm 8 is the vertically extending brace or supporting member 11, the upper end of which is attached to section 1 of said side sections of round telescoping tubing and is I extensible for a purpose to be presently set forth. By means of said terminal 10 the top is secured to the body of a vehicle. Said rear supporting arm is also formed of a tubular member 29, as shown, especially in Figs. 9, 10 and 11.- Said member 9 is pro vided with a longitudinal slot 12 in its front side for the outward projection of a lug .13 of the slide block 14; a knuckle or couplin member 15, which, is rigidly secured to the rear end of section 1, engages said lug 13, and forms a flexible joint therewith. Said slide-block 14 is free to slide longitudinally within the arm 9; said block 14 bears against a resilient cushion 14. when the top is in its service position.

. When the top is to be collapsed the sections 1, 2, 3 and 4.- are first telescoped, then the rear end of section 1 is drawn down, as partially shown in Fig. 3 and the front end of the frame is swung over into the position shown in Fig. 4. In order to permit said movement of said section 1, said supporting member 11 is composed of 'two sections of: telescoping tubing the internal member 11 Each of the end bows 9* and 8 is composed" 01 a channel-shaped metallic section shown especially in Fig. 12 with the opening thereof disposed outwardl and in said opening is secured a filler 0 wood 16 which is for the purpose of supplying a suitable mate'rial to which to tack or otherwise secure the fabric covering 17 of the top. Said fabric is secured to said end bows 9 and 8 only, as indicated in Fig. 7, so that. when the top is collapsed the slack fabric will be free, if permitted to do so, to fall or depend downwardly in the position shown in Fig. 7. Said'fabricis however folded over in the direction indicated by the arrow in said Fig. 7 to form a dust hood for the col-.

lapsedtop and the back of the rearseat {18 of the vehicle, thus imparting to the 1 same a neat and-ornate appearance. 4 For the purpose of preventing the respective sections 1, 2, 3 and A: from vibrating when telescoped and to prevent any'possible noise which might be caused thereby, I provide a compression device or look, shown especially in the enlarged view Fig. 15, which 'is construtted' in the following mannergthrough each of said sections 1, 2, 3 and ride formed a port or opening 19 all of wh'ichopenings are arranged and located so that they will be in alinement or register (See Fig. 15) when said sections are in the telescoped condition. In proper juXtap0sition to' said ports 19 is operably secured a cam-shaped locking device 20 which is pro vidd with a cylindrical stem -21 having a handle 22; a suitable housing is provided forthe reception of said stem and in which said stem is free to revolve also to move longitudinally. When said lock is'not in use the cam 20 is drawn. outward by means of the stem and handle and is secured in this non-operative position by the cotter 24. When the said sections are tclescoped and it is desired to lock them against any possible vibrationthe cam 20 is moved inward 7 its full extension shown in'Fig. 1 ,a's illus- I and turned so that the point thereof bears firmly upon the inner tube 4 *and .thus presses al of the sections firmly. together and in this position the lock is itself inturn locked in the locking position by the re-insertion ofthe cotter24, which now passes through the hole 25. of stem 21 which is in proper registry for the reception of said cotter. I

My improved top is adjustable as to length and is so constructed that it may b adjusted into a top of any length ,le'ss't trated in Figs. 5' and 6. When said top, is: to be adjusted to one of the shorter [e'xten sions, one or more of said pairs bf side sec- 'tions of telescoping 'tubin may b'adjustedinwardly either the who e length-"thereof orany desired amount, and locked in said partly extended position or positions by means of the locks 36. The slack 37 which i is thus caused in the fabric covering 17;, is

then gathered into a single fold .as showni'iii Fig. 5, then it is-carried downward so that it-lies smoothly upon the top; the corners 38 are then folded inwardly and the fold adjacent to its rear edge is then secured in position by any suitable means as the snap fasteners 3.9.

For the purpose of preventing the section 11 of said supportingmember from being withdrawn from the'section llinto which it telescopes, I form in said section- 11, a slot 26 for the reception of a pin 27, iwhich is secured in said section 11 and projects into said slot and when said pin reaehes the upper end of said slot it is stopped from further. outward movement; 1 It will to. readily understood that itflis immaterial" which of the sections 11 or 11, contains said slot, and which contains thepin and it will i be readily understood that any other suit-' able form of stop could be substituted for said slot and pin.

In the manufacture of my improved top and as a commercial and manufacturing expedient, I form the curvedends or elbows 28 of the intermediate bows 5, 6 and 7'as shown in Fig. 17. Said elbows 28 are of channel shapewith the opening disposed inwardly in conformity with the shape and position of the top or transversely-extending portion 29 as shown in Fig. 14. Said*channel is, preferably provided with a woodfiller 30 which is secured in position in any suitable manner as by pins-31; A slot 32 is formed throughthe outer upper-wall of I each of said elbows 2 8to facilitate the attachment of webbing 33 that extends longitudinally the full len th of the top upon each side thereof and isattached to each of the crossbows. Said webbing serves two 7 and 8 when the top is extended and that 130 of assisting to support the fabric covering for the top to prevent it from sagging. As

previously stated, the channel of the rear bow 9 and the front how 8, is disposed outwardly and said webs are attached directly thereto. 1

There is a variation in the width of vehicle bodies which makes it necessaryto be able to supplytops of varying widths in the most expeditious and economical manner and it isespecially upon this account that said elbows'y28 (Fig. 17) areformed'as a separate detail. The intermediate transversely extending portion of said bows are formed in uniform lengths which are as long as extreme cases of width will require and when narrower tops are made it is only necessary to out said intermediate portions to proper length and to weld the elbows to the respective ends thereof. Said welding" is preferably done by theelectrical process.-

The lower end of saidelbows is provided with a downwardly, projecting leaf or portion 37 which extends downwardly into contact with the outside of the respective sec tion of, the telescoping bar which carries the same and said leaf is welded to said section, preferably, by an electrical spotweld. The elbows for the rear member 9 and the front member Bare formed with the open-. ing disposed outwardly instead ofinwardly,

-as shownin said Fig. 17.

. Owing to the various lengths of vehicle bodies to which my top may be applied, it

is sometimes desirable to provide intermediate adjustable and removable cross bows as 34 arranged to be removably attached, usually to the rear bars 1, but said removable cross-bows may be attached to any of the other bar sections 2, 3 or .4. Said bars are especially intended to sustain the balance and keep it from sagging between the cross bows when the'top is applied to a longcar and is fully extended, but they alsoserve to strengthen and stiffen the frame. It is very seldom however, that it is. found to be desirable to apply said supplementaryicrossbows to any but the sections 1 of said'frame. Said supplementary bows are removably attached by means of clips 35.

It is. desirable to provide a locking means whereby the various sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, (especially 1 and4) may be secured in any intermediate position of their longitudinal movement, and for this purpose I provide the well known form of bolt lock 36 which looks are secured to the vertical portion of a cross b'owand in close juxtaposition to the sections of the side bars with which it coiiperates, and. the relatively movable section said bolt is engaged with any of said holes said relatively movable section is firmly re- I tamed in said engaged position.

While I have shown in said drawings a certain construction which I have found to be satisfactory in actuallpraotice and have fully described the same, it should be understood that said construction may be departed from in many respects without departing from the scope of my invention. Theforward end of the top may be supported in any suitable way, and especially that commonly employed in automobile tops by-connecting said forward end to the upright standards of the windshield.

What I claim is v 1. A vehicle top comprising in combina tion a frame-work consisting of an upwardly, rearwardly-extending combined supporting arm and a transverse bow said how being adapted to form the rear end of the upper portion of said top, said arms being composed of tubular members and provided respectively at their lower ends with means for attaching same toa vehicle, there being a slot extending longitudinally of each of thereof a lug adapted to pro ect through and i to travel in said slot, a knuckle flexibly connected to each of said lugs, a primary tubular member positioned upon each side of said frame-work and each connected at its rearward end to one of said knuckles, a series ofsecondary pairs of tubular. telescoping members carried by said primary members and arranged'to form, when extended, the respective sides of said framework, a transversely-extending bow carried by each of said pairs of side members and an extensible normally vertically extending supporting member at each side of said framepivptally connected at the upper end I to said primary member, and pivotally connected at its lower end to said arm in imity to the lower end thereof.

2. A vehicle top comprising in combination a -frame-work consisting of upwardly rearwardly-extending arms having a bow rigidly connecting the same at the upper ends. thereof, said bow being adapted to form the rear end of the upper portion of proxsaid frame-work,- said arms being composed" of tubular members and provided respectively at'their lower ends with means for attaching same to a vehicle, there being a longitudinal slot extending through the front'wall of each of said arms, a slide-block positioned within each of said arms and arranged to move longitudinally therein, said blocks having as a feature thereof a lug adapted to project through and to travel in said slot, a knuckle flexibly connected to each of said lugs, a primary tubular member 1 positioned upon each side of said framework, eachconnected at its rearward end to one of said knuckles, a series of secondary telescoping members carried by each of said primary tubular members aiid'disposedinpairs and adapted to telescope into said prima member, a transversely extending bow rigi 1y affixed to each of said airs ofsaid telescoping members, removab e adjustable bows carried by one or more of said airs of telescoping members, and an extensi le normally vertically extending supporting member positioned at each side of said framework each pivotally connected at its upper end to one of said primary members, alsov pivotally connected at its lower end to said arm adjacent to the lower end thereof.

3. A vehicle to comprising in combination, a framewor consisting of upwardly, rearwardlyextending combination supporting arms and transverse bow which is sub.-

transverse bow being adapted to form the stantially a rigid unitary structure said rearward end of said framework, said arms bein composed of tubular membersand provided respectively at their lower ends with means for attaching said arms to-the body of a vehicle, there being a longitudinally-extending slot formed through the front wall of each of said arms, a slidebiock positioned within each of said arms and arranged to move therein, a flexible buffer block positioned within each of said arms at the upper portion thereof and adapted to limit theupward movement of said blocks said blocks having as a feature thereof a lug adapted to project through and to travel in said slot, a knuckle flexibly connected to each of said lugs, a prima-r tubular side member positioned upon eac side of said frame-work pivotally attached' at its upper end to said primary side memarranged to be extensible for ber, also pivotally attached at its lowerend to said supporting member adjacent to the .lower end thereof, said brace being formed of sections of telescoping tubing which are 7 the purpose set forth.

4. A vehicle top comprising in combination, a frame-work consisting of an upwardly rearwardly extending combined supporting arms and transversebow, said bow being'adapted' to form the rear endof the uppgr ortion of said top and consisting of a c annel-shapd member with its opening disposed outwai'dly, a wood filling tion of a vehicle,

in said channel, said arms being composed of tubular members and each rovided respectlvely at its lower end wit there be ng a longitudinal slot formed in the front wall of each of said arms, a slide block positioned within each of said arms,

and arranged to move longitudinally there-v in, said block having as a feature thereof, a lug adapted to project through and to travel in said slot, a knuckle flexibly .connected to each of said lugs, a primary tubular member positioned upon each side of said frame-work and each connected at its rearward end to one of said knuckles, a series of secondary, telescopin tubular means for attachlng'same to the body of a vehicle,-

members carried by each of sai primary members and arranged in pairs and forming when in the extended position the respective sides of said frame-work a transversely, extending bow carried. by each of saidpairs of side members, said transverse bows consisting of channel-shaped members with the opening thereof positioned downwardly, a filler of wood occupying said opening, there being slots formed through the upper wall of said last mentioned channel for the passage of web-securing devices,

webbingarranged along the upper side of said transverse bows and attached to each thereof, and an extensible normally verti- Callyextending supporting member ivotally connected at its upper end to sai primary member also pivotally connected at its lower end to said arm.in proximity to the lower end thereof. r

5. A vehicle top comprising in combinaicetion a'collapsible frame-work consisting of a main supporting element which is a subsv stantially unitary structure composed of up weirdly-extending supporting arms and a transverse bow, said arms being of tubular rovided respectively at construction and their lower ends with means for flexibly attaching said framework to a suitable porthere bein a longitudinally extending slot formed forward wall of said tubular arms, a slideblock positioned within said arms and having as a feature thereof alug arranged'to project through and to travel in said slot a knuckle flexibly connectedtoreach of said,

lugs, a primary tubular member positioned at each side of said frame-work and each attached at its rearward end to one of said knuckles, extensible supporting members attached at its u g per end by a hinged connection to each 0 said primary members, and also attached atits lower end by a hinged connection to each of said supporting arms adjacent to the lower end thereof, a series of secondary telescoping members carried by through the each of said primary members and arranged to be telescoped within the forward ends of said primary members, said secondary'members being arranged in pairs, a transversely extending bow carried by each'of said'pairs of telescoping members, a fabric top or v covering for said frameworkqattached there to at the front end and the rear portions thereof only, whereby said fabric is adapit-f ed to be formed into a single fold'when-said framework is collapsed, to form a hood or; -.covering therefolx, I 10' 6. A vehicle top comprisin tub'uiap member's arranged to telescope one Within the otheigone Walljof each of Said "tubular members lbeing provided with; an" opening; said openings beingso'posmioned as to bein register when said tubular members v V I I Injes'timony V in combing-'- tion a frame-work composed of a pluifality of:

are telescoped position, vand a cam mmber operably mounted upon theontermost of said tubular 'Ifnembers inhalineinent With whereof I aflix my signature in the presen'ceof We Witnesses.

ABRAHAM EINsTEiN,

(Bydoffefflourinow'Abi'akamNqdelL) Witine'ssesi 01m) F."BARTHEL,J IANNAML Donn. a 

